This year the conference is to be held aboard ship, the Queen Mary
at Long Beach.On July 3, 1813, Jane
Austen wrote to her brother Frank who was visiting Sweden.(Letter No. 81)

It must be a real enjoyment to
you … seeing something of a new Country, & one that has been so
distinguished as Sweden … I hope you may have gone to Carlscroon.– Your Profession has it’s douceurs to
recompense for some of it’s Privations; – to an enquiring and observing Mind
like yours, such douceurs must be considerable.– Gustavus-Vasa, & Charles 12th, & Christina, &
Lineus ….”

Obviously Jane Austen’s
knowledge of Sweden was considerable.Supposing Frank’s naval duties had taken him to the pacific coast like
Captain Cook and Captain Vancouver, both officers in the Royal Navy?What sort of letter might Jane have written
to him, if he had visited California?“Imagination is everything.”

RULES

1.Open
to JASNA members only.

2.No
more than 250 words, typed, double-spaced.

3. Submit under a
pseudonym only.Attach to your ms. an
envelope with your pseudonym on the OUTSIDE, your real name, address and
pseudonym INSIDE the envelope.

Never were people as sought after as my caro
sposo and me; everyone is eager to show us attention!Yesterday, Mr. and Miss Woodhouse honored us
at dinner, where we met Knightley, Mr. John Knightley, Mrs. Weston, and my
protegee, Jane Fairfax.Mr. Woodhouse
is a dear old creature – he admired my gown excessively, the gown you
chose.Certainly, it was the smartest
gown in the room.I do not at all like
Miss Woodhouse; she holds herself very high, unlike dear Jane who is humble and
quiet, – as becomes her inferior rank.I am extremely fond of her, you know, she is so very grateful for my
attention.The dinner itself was almost
in the style of Maple Grove.Before
tea, Mr. Weston joined the company, bringing a letter from his son, Frank
Churchill.The Churchill family leave
Yorkshire for London immediately – therefore, he expects to see his son in
Highbury tolerably often.Mr. Weston
particularly wishes to introduce Frank Churchill to my notice, and is most
anxious to know my opinion of him.Mr.
E. and I are in great hopes you will not delay your visit; all Highbury
is eager to meet you and my brother.We
strongly recommend you to bring the barouche-landau.Indeed, the barouche-landau is much preferable to the chaise for
exploring.I fancy such a carriage is
not often seen in this country.By the
bye, do look about the neighborhood of Maple Grove for a superior situation for
dear Jane.Nothing less than a family
such as yours or Mrs. Bragge’s will suit.I shall write Mrs. Partridge and some others, begging them to be on the
watch, also.Jane fears she is giving
trouble – however, I fancy she will be gratified by the results of my
efforts.But I must write no longer –
Wright has been waiting this half hour to confer with me.Upon my word, so many morning calls are
being paid and returned, and so many evening engagements made, that I have not
touched my crayons or instrument these three weeks.Do excuse this short note.My dear Selina. Mr. E. wishes his compliments and best regards to you
and Mr. Suckling.